Two simple rules
- Available rolls forward.If you didn’t spend all the money in a category, it carries into the next month.
- Assigned is monthly.Each month has its own Assigned values — you fund categories for the month you’re viewing.
What changes when a new month starts
- Availablecontinues based on what was left (or overspent) in the prior month.
- Activityis always the sum of transactions dated in the current month.
- Assignedis whatever you allocate in that month.
Overspending: what you should do
If a category goes negative, treat it as a signal to make a decision:
- Move money from another category to cover it (recommended).
- Reduce spending / correct the transaction if it was miscategorized.
- For credit card overspending, understand what “Unfunded” means (see below).
Credit cards: the “Unfunded” case
When you spend on a credit card without enough money available in the category, you’re effectively creating new credit card debt. Purpose Budget flags this as Unfunded so you can choose how to fix it.
Read:Unfunded Credit Card Spending.
Quick example
You assign $300 to Groceries. You spend $250. Then next month:
- Groceries Available starts at $50 (carryover).
- Groceries Activity starts at $0 (no transactions yet this month).
- You decide how much to assign for the new month.
If you want the full walkthrough
The Help Center focuses on “how it works.” For a step-by-step monthly routine, visit the Learn guide on Reconciliation.